The Supreme Court has directed the Attorney General to instruct the Commissioner General of Prisons and the Superintendent of Prisons in Anuradhapura to ensure the safety of the eight prisoners who have filed a Fundamental Rights petition against State Minister Lohan Ratwatte.

The Supreme Court has also directed the Attorney General to instruct the Commissioner General of Prisons and the Superintendent of Prisons of Anuradhapura to provide the necessary access for their lawyers to meet the relevant prisoners.

The SC made the order after considering the FR petition filed by eight suspects detained at the Anuradhapura Prison by their lawyer alleging that Lohan Ratwatte had entered the Anuradhapura Prison and threatened a detainee with a pistol.

The petitions were filed today before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Murdu Fernando and S. The case was taken up before a three-judge bench comprising Justices Thurairajah.

The petitioner further requests that an order be issued to release him on bail and finally release him from all charges.